Tennis Serve Speed in Relation to Isokinetic Shoulder Strength, Height, and Segmental Body Mass in Junior Players

<b>Objectives:</b> The relationship between the isokinetic maximal strength of internal or external shoulder rotation and serve speed in tennis is well established, yet the influence of segmental mass, height, and high-speed shoulder rotation strength on serve performance in junior playe...

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Main Authors: Jan Vacek, Michal Vagner, Jan Malecek, Petr Stastny
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/57
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author Jan Vacek
Michal Vagner
Jan Malecek
Petr Stastny
author_facet Jan Vacek
Michal Vagner
Jan Malecek
Petr Stastny
author_sort Jan Vacek
collection DOAJ
description <b>Objectives:</b> The relationship between the isokinetic maximal strength of internal or external shoulder rotation and serve speed in tennis is well established, yet the influence of segmental mass, height, and high-speed shoulder rotation strength on serve performance in junior players remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between concentric or eccentric isokinetic shoulder strength, segmental mass, height, and first-serve speed aimed at the T-target zone. <b>Methods:</b> Fifteen male junior competitive tennis players (mean ± SD: age 15.9 ± 0.9 years; height: 180.1 ± 7.2 cm; body mass: 66.1 ± 5.7 kg) were assessed for maximal isokinetic strength during concentric and eccentric internal and external shoulder rotations. Segmental mass (arm, leg, and trunk) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and serve speed was recorded using a radar gun. <b>Results:</b> Concentric shoulder rotations at 210°/s demonstrated significant positive correlations with serve speed for both external (ρ = 0.71, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.01) and internal rotation (ρ = 0.61, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). Although lean arm mass partially mediated the relationship between shoulder strength and serve speed (indirect effect = 0.502, 95% CI: −0.156 to 1.145), this mediation effect was not statistically significant. Height was moderately correlated with serve speed (ρ = 0.68, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.01) but did not moderate the relationship between shoulder strength and serve speed. <b>Conclusions:</b> Concentric shoulder strength at higher angular velocities and segmental mass contribute to serve speed in junior tennis players. While height provides structural advantages, strength and lean mass play important roles, emphasizing the need for targeted training programs.
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spelling doaj-art-fb4991e6fe6c40a499700adf38ee52c92025-08-20T02:42:34ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422025-02-011015710.3390/jfmk10010057Tennis Serve Speed in Relation to Isokinetic Shoulder Strength, Height, and Segmental Body Mass in Junior PlayersJan Vacek0Michal Vagner1Jan Malecek2Petr Stastny3Department of Sports Games, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, 162 52 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Sports Games, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, 162 52 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Military Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, 162 52 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Sports Games, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, 162 52 Prague, Czech Republic<b>Objectives:</b> The relationship between the isokinetic maximal strength of internal or external shoulder rotation and serve speed in tennis is well established, yet the influence of segmental mass, height, and high-speed shoulder rotation strength on serve performance in junior players remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between concentric or eccentric isokinetic shoulder strength, segmental mass, height, and first-serve speed aimed at the T-target zone. <b>Methods:</b> Fifteen male junior competitive tennis players (mean ± SD: age 15.9 ± 0.9 years; height: 180.1 ± 7.2 cm; body mass: 66.1 ± 5.7 kg) were assessed for maximal isokinetic strength during concentric and eccentric internal and external shoulder rotations. Segmental mass (arm, leg, and trunk) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and serve speed was recorded using a radar gun. <b>Results:</b> Concentric shoulder rotations at 210°/s demonstrated significant positive correlations with serve speed for both external (ρ = 0.71, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.01) and internal rotation (ρ = 0.61, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). Although lean arm mass partially mediated the relationship between shoulder strength and serve speed (indirect effect = 0.502, 95% CI: −0.156 to 1.145), this mediation effect was not statistically significant. Height was moderately correlated with serve speed (ρ = 0.68, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.01) but did not moderate the relationship between shoulder strength and serve speed. <b>Conclusions:</b> Concentric shoulder strength at higher angular velocities and segmental mass contribute to serve speed in junior tennis players. While height provides structural advantages, strength and lean mass play important roles, emphasizing the need for targeted training programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/57tennis performanceisokinetic strengthgrip strengthanthropometry
spellingShingle Jan Vacek
Michal Vagner
Jan Malecek
Petr Stastny
Tennis Serve Speed in Relation to Isokinetic Shoulder Strength, Height, and Segmental Body Mass in Junior Players
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
tennis performance
isokinetic strength
grip strength
anthropometry
title Tennis Serve Speed in Relation to Isokinetic Shoulder Strength, Height, and Segmental Body Mass in Junior Players
title_full Tennis Serve Speed in Relation to Isokinetic Shoulder Strength, Height, and Segmental Body Mass in Junior Players
title_fullStr Tennis Serve Speed in Relation to Isokinetic Shoulder Strength, Height, and Segmental Body Mass in Junior Players
title_full_unstemmed Tennis Serve Speed in Relation to Isokinetic Shoulder Strength, Height, and Segmental Body Mass in Junior Players
title_short Tennis Serve Speed in Relation to Isokinetic Shoulder Strength, Height, and Segmental Body Mass in Junior Players
title_sort tennis serve speed in relation to isokinetic shoulder strength height and segmental body mass in junior players
topic tennis performance
isokinetic strength
grip strength
anthropometry
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/57
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